Athletes need two major features to compete in games or during workouts- stability and endurance. Foot problems, whether because of injuries or structural misalignment, can affect these essentials and thus sports performance. Custom orthotics are medical devices that you wear inside your shoes. They fix biomechanical abnormalities in the foot that limit an athlete’s capabilities. Let’s dive into details about how custom orthotics influence athletic performance.
What are the Benefits of Orthotics in Sports?
Custom orthotics are specifically designed to relieve foot conditions that cause pain and movement problems. They act like protectors for your feet while absorbing shock, fixing the alignment and providing the necessary support to your feet.
Consider sports like basketball.
Foot movement is a crucial aspect of this game that basketball players must master. Whether you want to dribble the ball or play in defence positioning, smooth footwork plays an integral role.
However, foot injuries or structural abnormalities such as high arches and flat feet limit your footwork potential. The ankle and foot alignment often disrupts causing excruciating strain every time the player steps on the ground.
This is where the role of custom foot orthotics comes into play.
These assistive devices address the issues that affect the functionality and movement of your feet, thereby helping the player keep playing pain-free.
This is how orthotics protect athletes’ feet and enable them to perform their best in different kinds of sports.
4 Crucial Ways Custom Orthotics Improve Athletic Performance
Gait and sports performance go hand in hand.
The physiotherapists in Brampton keep your gait in perfect health so you can beat all odds and play your game pain-free.
They ensure that the orthotics reduce your pain, prevent injuries and enhance stability. Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite basketball player, the right orthotics can help you stay active and free from injuries.
Here are 4 key ways custom orthotics influence athletic performance.
Relieving and preventing foot injuries
Foot injuries such as shin splits, Achilles heel and plantar fasciitis are common among athletes. These injuries occur because of the repeated strain on feet. So, custom orthotics provide cushioning and support to relieve the strain and protect the feet throughout the game.
Custom orthotics provide your feet with the right support that they need to perform their best. The medical devices help distribute your weight evenly avoiding excess pressure on joints and muscles. They also help maintain the stability in ankles, thereby enabling you to move in various directions without the risk of injuries.
Improving balance and speed
Both balance and speed are crucial in games like football, basketball, tennis, etc. In basketball, for instance, the players need speed to drive to the basket, transition from defence to offence and vice versa and create fast break opportunities. Similarly, in soccer, Messi uses speed and balance to dribble through defenders and weave through tight spaces.
Custom orthotics make sure the players reach their maximum potential and do their best. The medical shoe inserts provide strong support to arches and ankles, which helps the players boost their speed. It prevents the player from feeling unsteady at the feet.
Training harder and better
Training prepares an athlete for the game. But, you cannot train let alone play properly with misaligned feet or injuries in the feet. From speed and agility to balance and confidence, everything gets affected while you try to train.
Wearing custom orthotics relieves all these problems, thereby enabling you to train harder and better without the risk of injuries. There will be no pain to hold you or your training back. The orthotics put less stress on your feet and absorb shocks to make you feel better.
Reducing the risk of further injuries
Your body starts sending signals the moment something is wrong. Chronic pain in the ankles, for example, is a sign that you need to see a physiotherapist or foot specialist as soon as possible. If left untreated, the pain can worsen and create further serious problems.
You should also always pay attention to your body. Talk to a professional immediately if the feet or ankle feel painful or uncomfortable. They may prescribe orthotics because wearing those reduces the existing pain and prevents further injuries.
How to Find the Right Orthotics for Yourself?
Custom orthotics are different than the insoles you find readily available at markets. The custom ones are medical assistive devices manufactured specifically for your feet and their comfort. You should talk to a licensed physiotherapist or foot/ankle specialist to know what’s wrong with your feet and how you can manage it. They also guide you to wear custom orthotics so you can play your best with full confidence.
